A massive modern school stood tall under the clear sky. Wide glass windows reflected sunlight. A huge playground stretched beside it, alive with movement.
Students in clean uniforms filled the campus. Some were laughing loudly. Some were playing sports. Some sat under trees studying. Some were eating and chatting.
It looked peaceful. Bright. Normal.
Yet in one corner of the school, a small group of boys sat together, their mood completely different.
Boy 1 frowned. "Do you think we can really win?"
Boy 2 sighed, scratching his head. "I don't know, man. Exams and tournaments are low-key not made for people like us."
Boy 3 leaned back, staring at the sky. "How are we even supposed to beat people who are way stronger than us?"
Boy 4 nodded slowly. "Exactly. Our opponent team literally has Mark."
Boy 1's face stiffened. "Yeah… Mark. A B-rank fighter."
Boy 2 swallowed. "And not just any B-rank. They say he's the strongest one right now."
Boy 3 smirked. "Of course he is. Always camping at the top of one rank."
He paused, then his eyes sharpened. "But there's something I've been wondering."
Boy 4 tilted his head. "What?"
Boy 3 slowly smiled. "Who's stronger… our Mark, or Blackridge's Daniel?"
All of them reacted at once.
"Ohhh damn." "That's a good question."
Their eyes drifted across the yard.
A tall boy stood there, dressed in a black shirt and black pants. Sharp, spiky black hair. Confident posture.
Between two other boys.
Chris and Wayne. Both C-rank fighters.
And between them… Mark. The strongest B-rank known in their school.
Boy 3 whispered, "Daniel and Mark are probably the best B-ranks in the city."
Boy 1 nodded. "Well, obviously we'll support Mark."
Boy 2 smirked. "I heard Daniel's fighting style is pretty flashy though."
Boy 4 suddenly leaned forward. "Hey… did you guys hear what happened last week?"
They all looked at him.
"What?"
"At Blackridge."
Their expressions sharpened.
"You know Jack, right?" "The A-rank bully?"
Boy 4 lowered his voice. "I heard he got defeated."
Everyone froze.
"…What?"
"Yeah. By a new student."
Boy 1's eyes widened. "No way."
"They say he took Jack down with a single strike."
Silence fell.
Boy 2 whispered, "That's impossible… A-rank losing in one hit?"
Boy 3 shook his head. "That's insane."
Boy 4 shrugged. "Probably just rumors."
Boy 1 laughed nervously. "Yeah, there's no way we should believe that."
"Right. Sounds like made-up nonsense."
At that moment, two figures approached them.
Chris and Wayne.
Chris crossed his arms. "So, team… ready for the tournament?"
The boys straightened up.
Boy 1 smiled weakly. "We're not that strong, but… we'll give it our best."
Mark watched them, a relaxed smile on his face.
"Let's see what you've got."
He cracked his knuckles.
"I won't fight yet."
He glanced at Chris.
"Chris. You go first."
Chris rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck.
He stepped forward confidently.
"So…"
He smirked.
"Who wants to go first?"
"I can't wait to win this tournament."
To be continued…